Still have questions regarding implementation of the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) as it takes effect on Jan. 1, 2017? Be sure to check out those topics and points raised in the “VFD Bulletin – Understanding the Veterinary Feed Directive,” authored by Dr. Dee Griffin, director of the Texas Veterinary Medical Center partnership at Texas A&M University.

Veterinary Feed Directives (VFD) regulation will only allow veterinarians to write VFD “orders” (See ‘Prescription vs. Order’ below) to use feed-grade antibiotics for disease prevention, disease treatment and disease control. From a regulatory standpoint:

What it means for cattle producers Veterinary Feed Directives (VFDs), a rule for the FDA, became final June 3, 2015. All companies manufacturing feed-grade antibiotics for livestock have been given until Jan. 1, 2017, to change all product labeling to comply with the VFD final rule.

The new Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) regulations, while in effect now, will not impact the antibiotics cattle raisers have been using over the years until Jan. 1, 2017. VFD regulations seem scary for lots of beef raisers but, actually, the regulation is only directed at medically important classes.

Producers preparing for the upcoming Veterinary Feed Directive commonly ask questions about which products will require a VFD.

What does the Veterinary Feed Directive mean for cattle producers? Cattle producers must have a relationship with a licensed veterinarian.

When the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) regulations go into effect, they will only apply to antibiotics used in feed.

The FDA’s “Guidance for the Industry” (GFI) 209, released in December 2013, announced that all antibiotic feed additives would, within three years, fall under the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) regulations.